Green Beret from Brookfield Killed by Roadside Bomb in Afghanistan

BROOKFIELD -- It is our sad duty to report that Matthew Thompson, a 28-year-old U.S. Army Staff Sgt. and 2006 Brookfield Central High School graduate, has died this week while on duty in Afghanistan.

According to a report by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Thompson was killed by a roadside bomb on Tuesday, August 23rd while on patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Another American and six Afghan soldiers were wounded in the blast.

Thompson was a Green Beret and medic in the Army Special Forces. He was killed in action during a mission in Afghanistan on the morning of August 23rd.

Thompson's wife, Rachel, his parents Mark and Lynda, and his sisters Karen and Robyn are traveling to be with family and to receive the body.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with travel costs and other financial hardships after this week's tragic news.

If you want to help the family, you can donate to their fund here:

Support the Family of Matt Thompson

According to the family, this page has been set up to offer a place for people to help offset the family's travel costs and other expenses that come about due to this loss. Any donation is greatly appreciated and will be submitted directly to Matt's family.

According to totals as of Thursday morning, the community has offered a wealth of support, and has exceeded the family's funding goals already.

The Elmbrook School District has also released a statement on the tragic loss of one of Brookfield's own:

The Elmbrook community mourns the loss of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matthew V. Thompson, 28, who died Tuesday, August 23, 2016 in southern Afghanistan. Matthew was a proud member of the Brookfield Central Class of 2006. During his senior year he was varsity football captain and also played trombone in the wind ensemble and jazz band during his four years at Central. We offer our deepest condolences to Matthew’s wife, parents and sisters, as well as our sincere gratitude for his service to our country.

Image Credit: U.S. Army